OAKLAND, Calif. _ LeBron James didn't seem distraught in the locker room after the game. He wasn't moping or cursing his luck. He talked about getting back to Los Angeles later Tuesday night, and joked about Christmas gift giving.
Less than two hours earlier, James had sent shockwaves through his team and all of Lakerland by having to leave the game against the Warriors with 7:51 left in the third quarter because of a strained left groin. Initial testing revealed his muscle intact and allayed concerns that it might be a significant injury. James will have an MRI exam Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury.
"With me, with injuries, I am never too concerned about them," James said. "I was able to walk off on my own power. I felt a pop and see if I could stretch it a few times and see if it will relieve but it didn't."
What happened after he left might have helped his mood, too. The Lakers had dominated the Warriors with James in their lineup, and without James they gave Golden State a rare thrashing.
The Lakers beat the Warriors, 127-101, led by 19 points from Kyle Kuzma, 18 from Ivica Zubac and 17 from James. James also contributed 13 rebounds and five assists.
Golden State's Andre Iguodala led all scorers with 23 points while Kevin Durant added 21. The Warriors made only 25 percent of their three-pointers, with their starters making six of 23.
"We think we can play with anybody," Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball said. "We're not scared of nobody."
It was James' first win in Oakland since the 2016 NBA Finals, and his first regular-season win on the road against the Warriors since Feb. 12, 2014, when he played for the Miami Heat.
The Warriors fell to 23-12. It's the first time in the Steve Kerr era that they've reached 12 losses before the calendar year turned. The Lakers, meanwhile, improved to 20-14.
"I thought that was probably our most complete game this season," Lakers coach Luke Walton said.
Following a game plan prepared by assistant coach Jesse Mermuys, the Lakers took a seven-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Hints of the Warriors' three-point shooting problems arose while the Lakers shot well both overall and from three-point range, making five of 10 long-distance shots.
As the second quarter progressed, Golden State kept missing their three-pointers, hounded by alert defensive plays from the Lakers. At one point the Warriors made just three of 19 shots. At halftime, the Lakers led by 15 points.
The Lakers built their lead to 19 points during the third quarter and led by 14 when it appeared disaster might have struck.
"I was dribbling down the court and Draymond (Green) got his hand on the ball and I went to get the loose ball and just over-extended my groin I guess," James said. "And then I felt it coming down the court, I actually over-extended it again back on defense."
Walton immediately called a timeout with 7:51 left in the third quarter. As the team huddled, James stretched his hip flexors, trying to work out the kink. He spoke with his trainer Mike Mancias and Lakers head athletic trainer Marco Nunez.
No one expected him to leave the court. James hadn't missed a game since the end of the 2016-17 season _ and then it was to rest before heading into the playoffs.
"I've never really seen him injured," Kuzma said. "If he has to go to the locker room you know it's something serious because he does a hell of a job taking care of his body."
James went back to the locker room to be examined, and the news was good, according to sources familiar with the examination. While he hasn't ruled out playing in Sacramento on Thursday, he also didn't commit to being available for the game.
Then he watched from the locker room as his teammates tried to finish what they'd started with him.
"At first they didn't play very well, they let Golden State go on that 14-1 run but after that Kuz was able to go to the free-throw line and get some free throws and then we just controlled the pace after that," James said. "Rondo was gigantic in controlling the pace."
That 14-1 run cut the Lakers' lead to three via a running dunk from Kevin Durant that caused the Oracle Arena crowd to erupt with 3:22 left in the third. But then the Lakers got their bearings back.
A three-pointer by Lance Stephenson to close the third quarter gave the Lakers a nine-point lead and a strong starting point for the final frame.
"They probably felt a little stronger once he went down," Rondo said. "But other than that, a lot of us still get paid a nice amount of money to do what we do, and we were able to step up and produce for our team."
Josh Hart made a three-pointer to stretch the Lakers' lead to 23 with 3:36 left in the game and the home team's fans began to leave the arena.
Soon many of the fans who remained wore the Lakers No. 23 jersey, relishing a win in spite of a near-disastrous moment.
